Secularization of America

I am reading a really good book called Standing for Something, by Gordon B. Hinkley

It is really amazing

In the introduction he talks a lot about America. He brings up the sad truth that Americans are abandoning God. He calls it the "Secularization of America".

He has a good point.

When I was growing up, there was debate about the pledge of alliegence being said in the classroom. Many people were offended by it because of the phrase "under God". People who did not believe in God did not want their children saying his name in the classroom. At the time I was an innocent little girl who didn't like conflict. I would avoid the argument and just keep my belief in God to my reverent self. I wish I had stood up for what I believed in, but I was just to shy to even think about saying something.

Now I recognize how absurd this argument is. It is too late for me to go back. Things have already changed. I don't remember saying the pledge of allegiance when I was in High School. When we did I remember everyone felt weird about it because it had been so long since the last time. Oh how the tables have turned. Speaking of religion in schools feels socially unacceptable. Others look at you wrong and uncomfortably. Where as it is seemingly impossible to have a conversation with out homosexuality, or transgender becoming part of the discussion. And if you don't like it you are called homophobic or a bigot, or both.

Why is it that those who don't believe same-sex marriage to be correct must tolerate it in the classroom, but that who do not believe in God can not not tolerate him in discussion? Why can't we all be tolerant? Why must this divide us?

I believe in God. I believe in Christ. He is my king. God's presense is all around us. He deeply loves and cares for us. It is sad that so many openly reject him.

I am currently living in Brazil. I have also had a chance to travel a bit more than the past. As I have been meeting so many people from so many different parts of the world. I realized something.

People outside of the United States are so much more open to talking about God.

When I was growing up, I felt SO embarassed to talk about religion. I felt no one would understand me. I thought everyone would make fun of me. I quietly skirted along, doing what was right not aruguing with anybody about it.

In Brazil, and other parts of the world, people part wishing "God bless". People talk about how God had blessed them that week. People share their testimonies on the bus, in the street, with old friends and new. People of all kinds of religions all agree that God is real. They can all smile about that. There are a few athiests. They are respected. They don't yell at you if you say "God bless" because they know it is from your heart and you wish them the best. they probably don't like it and if they are your friend they might ask you not to say it to them, but they don't fight you.

When did God become an enemy? When was it decided that the mere mention of his name in the pledge of alegience could be considered offensive?

Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of Great Britain has often said "You use the name of Diety in the Declaration of Independence and in the Constitution of the United States, and yet you cannot use it in the schoolroom." (p.xx)

Gordon B Hinckley talks about how this country was built by men who believed in God. The Declaration of Independence concludes "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."(p.xvi) These were dedicated men of God who gave so much for our freedom. I hope we do not abuse it.

President Gordon B. Hinckley talks about many postive things about this country. He is pleased to say that is it spiritual. He says "I especially love America for its great spiritual strength. It is a land of churches and synagogues, of temples and tabernacles, of pulpits and altars. We have on our coinage and our corrency a national motto. It simply says, "In God We Trust." I believe that this is the foundation on which this nation was established: an unequivocal trust in the power of the almighty to guide and defend us." (p.xv)

Once when I was on the bus, I sat next to a muslim. He saw that I was reading the Book of Mormon. I sensed him staring at it so I decided to start a conversation. We talked a lot! He asked questions about Christianity and I asked questions about Islam. We found many diferences in our beliefs as well as many similarities. He was really excited to talk about religion. He said he had always been curious about Christianity because they don't have it in the country he is from. It seems he had been studying at the local university and had not had a chance to discuss it with anyone. ( That University is known to have a lot of athiests and people with new ideas turning away from God's teachings It was probably a really wierd environment for him coming from such a religious country) Our discussion wasn't a debate. I didn't leave the discussion wanting to be muslim. He didn't leave the dissussion itching to bet baptized, but it felt really nice. Even though we had different opinions, we could both agree that God exists. We both had a stong attachment to this testimony. And we both wanted so much to do his will. For that moment, we had something in common that most of the other youth around us didn't have. And that commonality of love for God was a trait that was so important to each of us. I felt like we were siblings, children of God.

President Hinkley warns, "America is still strong, but destructive forces have been and are at work. There is serious unsteadiness in our country's stance in terms of morality, ethics, principles, and behavior. We as a people and a nation have increasinly neglected and abandoned time-honored virtues that have been proven through the centeries to keep human beings individually, and therefore collectively strong." (p.xix)

The book will talk about lost virtues that we must guard and protect. I am so excited to continue reading. President Hinkley was a happy and beloved man. He was a very good man. He was a great example of strength and love. The two should coexist. He showed example in word and action.

I love God. I love this church. I am so grateful for the great examples I have had in my life, especially my parents. I grew up surrounded by great people.

with love,
Erin

Sorry

For those who are following me, I believe there are none, I am sorry for not posting for a while.

The internet was down and then struggling.

I have also been down and struggling.

But now we are both good.

I didn't complete my Book of Mormon goal. It was maybe not a very attainable goal. Atleast I tried!

I got through Mosiah 8 in the first week. That's pretty good I guess. Then I don't know what happened but I just slugged through a few chapters on the second week. Maybe I got a little overloaded.
I am going to continue reading from where I left off. Then when I feel up to trying again. I'll try to Read the Book of Mormon in a week. I have done it before. I will do it again!

The speed read did really help my testimony. Different speeds of reading gives you different perspectives.

When I was visiting an investigator with the missionaries last week I was able to bare my testimony on the Book of Mormon. While reading it, I can feel the love for their testimonies that the writers have. They really want us to understand what they understand. They desperately hope to inspire their brothers to get on the right path. They believe in Christ. They very deeply love and hope for him. They know he is coming. (These beginning writings were before Christ's birth for those who don't know)

Also another important thing to note for those who are not familiar with the Book of Mormon: It is not a substitute for the bible. In a lesson with the missionaries, the investigator said she couldn't believe in the Book of Mormon because it would be like taking a knife and stabbing and ripping apart the Bible. I was a little mortified by that imagery! But I was able to tell her "no!" I said that's what you were taught, but it is not the truth. I asked her. "Do you know the story of the Book of Mormon?" I told her a lot of things about the Book of Mormon. I told her about Lehi and how he sent his sons through the desert back to jerusalem to collect ancient records. I told her that those where a part of the Old Testament. I told her that they loved and cherished those records. Lehi was a prophet and his wanted his people to be taught the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I know the Book of Mormon is true. I love it.
I know that Jesus Christ is our savior. He loves us. I love him.
I know that baptism by immersion by those who are in authority is the gate. I love it.

The gospel is full of truth and light.
We are guided by the Holy Ghost.
Prayer is the pathway to receiving truth.
But first you must have a sincere desire to know what is right.

with love,
Erin

Today I started Reading the Book of Mormon. I mean I'm really gonna read it. Not like a "chapter a day kind of reading. Like a "I am obsessed with this book and can't put it down" kind of way. My goal is to read 88 pages a day. I read 46.5 before lunch, and in just a little bit I'm gonna get back to it.

1 Nephi 9:6

"But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is Amen."

While reading this mourning, this is the scripture which stood out to me. Evidence of the truthfullness of this statement is shown through out the beginnings of the Book of Mormon. The whole fact that the book exists is evidence of this.

Heavenly Father is much wiser than we are. He is much stronger than we are. It is silly that we so often disobey him, yet we do. It is silly that we so often do not want his input and think we are fine on our own when our individual knowledge is just a fraction of his understanding.

Heavenly father has blessed us so much. He has lead so many to safety. He wants to continually bless us and protect us. That is why he gave us the commandments. That is why he inspires leaders to teach and guide us.

Heavenly Father is just that, a heavenly father. We could not have a better father than him.

I am so grateful for my many blessings, and the guidance he desires to give me.

Love you all,
Erin

God's plan for me

My life is a gift; my life has a plan.
My life has a purpose; in heaven it began.
My choice was to come to this lovely home on earth
And seek for God's light to direct me from birth.
I will follow God's plan for me,
Holding fast to his word and his love.
I will work, I will pray;
I will always walk in his way.
Then I will be happy on earth
And in my home above

(Children's Songbook, "I Will Follow God's Plan")

Today I am sad. My boyfriend's visa was denied. It's discouraging.

I was afraid that spending forever with him might mean spending the rest of my life in Brazil. Every time something like this happens, my fear grows. There's nothing wrong with Brazil, it's a fine place. I just struggle. Cold showers. dirty floors. Dirty legs. Itchy all over from mosquito bites, bacterial rashes, or fungal infections. The heat. Daily sunburns and caking on of sunscreen. Sweat. Ache. Headaches. Lack of salad. I know there are a lot of people you have it worse than me, but things here are aggravating me and knocking me off my rocker. I just get so homesick sometimes.

But what if it is God's plan for me? What if he wants me to be here and I am not patient enough to hear him trying to comfort me. If he came right out and said, "Erin, I want to live in Brazil from now on. You are going to struggle, but I need you to be there." what would I say. What would I do.

I guess I will work. I will pray. Then I will be happy on earth? Following God's plan will definitely make me home about, but how can I be patient and be happy now while doing what God wants, even if it means doing what I don't want.

1) Service

A scripture from my last post keeps popping in my head the last few days. James 1:27 reads "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted form the world"

"As we look heavenward, we inevitably learn of our responsibility to reach outward. To find real happiness, we must seek it in a focus outside ourselves. No one has learned the meaning of living until he has surrendered his ego to the service of his fellow man. Service to others is akin to duty, the fulfillment of which brings true joy." Thomas S. Monson "The Joy of Service"

2) Missionary Work

Missionary work is a good way to get back in tune with the spirit and our purpose here on earth. No matter where we are we should be working to help others be saved through the atonement of Jesus Christ. We should remember the love he has for each one of us and share that with those around us.

I am focusing on these two things this week so that I can remember where I came from and why I am here. It doesn't matter where I am I can serve those around me and lift them up. I can be happy even while I am devoured by mosquitos. I know that as I focus on these two things I will find greater light and peace.

If you are feeling sad about where you are in life. Try serving and preaching. Give it an honest effort and I know it will have a positive effect on your life.

With love,
Erin

Lesson 42 "Pure Religion" James

For today's post read I prepared for this weeks sunday school class. I read James and wanted to post some scriptures that stuck out to me.

1:5-6 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”

1:8 “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

1:12 blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

1:19 “wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”

1:22-24 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.””

1:27 “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

2:5 “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?”

2:17-18 “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith , and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by me works.”

2:26 “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

3:2-5 “For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle to whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey is; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listesth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!”

3:8 “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”

3:10 Out of the same mouth preceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. “

3:17-18 “But the wisdom that is from above id first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”

4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up”

4:14 “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

4:17 “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”

5:16 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

5:20 “Let him know, that he which conveteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”

Taking your spiritual life more seriously.

I love Sundays. I really do.

Today I felt inspired by this blog article on the Church's website:

My Heart-to-Heart with God

It inspired me to do two things:

1) Change my sunday habits
2) Have a heart-to-heart with God

I haven't had a heart-to-heart with God for a while. I think I am afraid to. God is so powerful and all knowing. Every time I approach him he presents me with a huge challenge or test. I know he wants me to grow but sometimes I am shy or afraid and I can't get myself to ask or listen.

On Sunday I did a few visits with the missionaries. We we able to make two visits, both with less active members. As they asked them questions, they knew every answer. It became clear that their absence at church was not for a loss of testimony or a loss of understanding. They knew exactly what they should be doing but they weren't doing it. Why do we do that??

I do the same thing on a different scale. Though I go to church every Sunday, sometimes it is only out of habit. I choose to go because I know it will be good for me. I know it will have a positive influence on my week entirely. Sometimes I wake up with out a desire to go because I forget how much I love it. Then when Sunday comes to an end I already miss it. I know I can do better. I should be preparing better during the week for my calling (ward pianist). I should be practicing everyday. I should have more meaningful prayers and read the scriptures everyday. I know these things. Why don't I just do it? It seems so easy yet I put it off and don't get it done.

The following scriptures are a good lesson for me:

Psalms 31:24 "Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord."

Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding"

Psalms 115:11 "Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield"

I think the first step to bettering my spiritual life is to develop a friendship with the Holy Ghost. Sometimes we hear him whisper and we ignore it for the benefit of leisure or convenience. For example he might say "Get up and read the scriptures" and we might reply "I will once this movie on Netflix ends". We often procrastinate whisperings of the spirit when we shouldn't. Or we can be so overwhelmed by life's tasks that we do not hear him.

In a talk by Troy W. Carlton, he quoted Brigham Young saying "The spirit is the privilege of the Latter Day Saints, but they do not enjoy it as much as they might; consequently it is right to talk about these matters, and to instruct the people."

How do we know if it is from the Holy Ghost? It is simple:

Moroni 10:6 "And whatsoever thing is good is just and true; wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that he is."

I know that heavenly father loves us and has a plan for each and every one of us. If we listen to the guidance of the Holy Ghost we can change through the atonement. I encourage you to develop good habits. When Weekly church attendance, daily scripture study, and daily prayer become a habit they will happen automatically and you will receive a constant flow of blessings and enlightenment.

With love,
Erin

Gratitude

We are so so blessed.

November is typically a time to count our blessings. We should have an attitude of gratitude all the time, but somehow we forget until November comes around.

Check out this inspiring video from the church's website this week:





Today I listened to a talk by President Thomas S. Monson titled "The Divine Gift of Gratitude"

Gratitude is a powerful thing. The power it has to change a person is amazing. It brings incredible amounts of positivity and light. I am determined to be more grateful for the things I have.

A few weeks a go I spent a month in France because of my current visa situation. When I first got there I was over joyed. My aunt's apartment was beautiful and very well lit. She treated me very well as we went out to restaurants and ate tons of french bread and pastries. That very first hot shower was probably the best shower I've ever had. And I was immediately grateful for all those things. Then will time the excitement wore off. Those things weren't as pleasing and uplifting to me as they had been. I started to miss somethings from Brazil. I missed my boyfriend the most. I also missed rice and beans. I missed endless fresh fruit juice. I missed running on the beach. Then when I got back to Brazil, the same thing happened. I started out super excited and content until the gratitude wore off. My apartment started to look dull and unpleasant again. The poor lighting irritated me. How wonderful would it be if I could just stay grateful all the time. What a positive influence I would make in my life if I would appreciate more. Wouldn't it be great if we showed love to our loved ones everyday as if it was the first time we had seen them in a month. Why can't we cherish moments with them while we are living them?

I think that gratitude is hard to find current day.

I stumbled upon a clip while youtube surfing. I'm not sure why I watched it. It was about a music video I haven't seen nor have interesting in seeing. They women talked about how The artist, reacted to not having won an award. There was some talk justifying her reaction and some talk about how she might not have really compared to the competition. The end of the clip was what really stuck with me. I don't really suggest watching the entire clip because I don't think it's worth it, only the end is any good. Here is a link to that last bit. LINK. I'm sorry I don't know the name of the woman talking. I don't really keep up with celebrities at all. What she asks is "what happened to graciousness?" I had never really pinpointed my reason for not liking social media, but I think that might be it! Why do people need to go on twitter and make demands. There are so many harsh words. People can be so mean on social media. It bothers me.  People get on to proclaim what they "deserve". What doe we deserve? Maybe we don't really deserve anything. I think everything is a gift. You could work hard your entire life and not get anything. You could do very little work and have everything. We don't really deserve anything. Life is a gift.

In Luke Chapter 17, you can find the parable of the ten lepers. It might be a good reflection of today. Christ heals ten lepers. One comes back to thank him. He in turn asks "where are the nine?". Being healed of leprosy must bring an overwhelming amount of joy. Sharing that joy with the giver is a way to, in part, pay him back.

President Monson says "My brothers and sisters, to express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven."

I want to touch heaven.

And so I will be more grateful.

I invite you to do the same.

If you do so you will see miracles come upon your life.

With Love,
Erin